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Been with DirecTV since 1/98, but over the last 8 months I've had my programming suspended for 7, from late July of last year to late Jan. of this year and from late Feb. until at least August while I do a promo from TWC. I don't know for certain right now what I'll ultimately do, but TWC offers a fantastic broadband option and DirecTV does not. That will factor in heavily in my decision. DISH does not offer my locals in HD so they're not a blip on the radar.

What would the additional monthly fees be for that? lol Directv charges me $6 a month for the lease fee (Which is actually free), and $10 for Whole Home DVR. Plus can the Hoppers communicate with each other (MRV)?

What would the additional monthly fees be for that? lol Directv charges me $6 a month for the lease fee (Which is actually free), and $10 for Whole Home DVR. Plus can the Hoppers communicate with each other (MRV)?

With the H/J setup, monthly is $7/per additional receiver regardless of which model.

And the MRV fee is $10 ($6 DVR + $4 MRV)

The Hoppers cannot see each other now, but the software to do that is in the works and expected this summer sometime. But you can switch which Hopper the Joey sees quite simply from reports of those that just got installed.

From a purely equipment fee view, D* and E* are on par when you use the H/J setup.

What would the additional monthly fees be for that? lol Directv charges me $6 a month for the lease fee (Which is actually free), and $10 for Whole Home DVR. Plus can the Hoppers communicate with each other (MRV)?

You would have to ask DIRT if there would be an upgrade cost,but for an extra Hopper the extra receiver fee is $7.,1st receiver is included with your package,.

With the H/J setup, monthly is $7/per additional receiver regardless of which model.

And the MRV fee is $10 ($6 DVR + $4 MRV)

The Hoppers cannot see each other now, but the software to do that is in the works and expected this summer sometime. But you can switch which Hopper the Joey sees quite simply from reports of those that just got installed.

From a purely equipment fee view, D* and E* are on par when you use the H/J setup.

What would the additional monthly fees be for that? lol Directv charges me $6 a month for the lease fee (Which is actually free), and $10 for Whole Home DVR. Plus can the Hoppers communicate with each other (MRV)?

Monthly: First Hopper free, second Hopper $7. Each Joey is also $7 monthly.

Currently Hoppers cannot talk to each other but they will be able to "soon".

An account with a Hopper is charged the $6 per account DVR fee plus a $4 Whole Home DVR fee ... so an account with two Hoppers would be $17 (plus $7 for each Joey). Plus the cost of the base package and any channels/premiums one wants to subscribe to.

I just checked out of curiosity-Dish can't match what I have with Directv. I need the ability to record at least 5 HD channels in one room, record at least 2 HD channels in another room, and have 2 rooms that can view live HD Tv. They said they could give me 3 Joeys (Not sure if that's possible lol), but the other 2 Tvs wouldn't have access to Live tv.

I just checked out of curiosity-Dish can't match what I have with Directv. I need the ability to record at least 5 HD channels in one room, record at least 2 HD channels in another room, and have 2 rooms that can view live HD Tv. They said they could give me 3 Joeys (Not sure if that's possible lol), but the other 2 Tvs wouldn't have access to Live tv.

You must have a slew of others living in your house!!

A fair question might be how much of those are watching/recording the same thing?

Whether the H/J setup is better or worse than a D* setup with the HR34 and receivers is really determined by how/what/when you watch more than any other reason.

For me, I could replace 3 HR24s with one Hopper plus one Joey and be good to go. That is because me and my son rarely watch any live tv. Virtually everything is recorded and watched at convenient times without having to watch commercials. The only time that I need more than 3 tuners available is during prime time and that because the broadcast channels don't run incessant reruns of their current programming.

A fair question might be how much of those are watching/recording the same thing?

Whether the H/J setup is better or worse than a D* setup with the HR34 and receivers is really determined by how/what/when you watch more than any other reason.

For me, I could replace 3 HR24s with one Hopper plus one Joey and be good to go. That is because me and my son rarely watch any live tv. Virtually everything is recorded and watched at convenient times without having to watch commercials. The only time that I need more than 3 tuners available is during prime time and that because the broadcast channels don't run incessant reruns of their current programming.

Uncle and his wife, and Grandmother. And yes, there are times that all 5 tuners are recording on my HR34, both tuners are recording on his HR24, Live Tv is being watched in the living room, and my Grandmother is watching Live Tv in her room lol

Each additional Hopper and Joey is $7 per month. There is an additional upfront cost for the 2nd Hopper and possibly for additional Joeys beyond the first 3. Thanks.

Monthly: First Hopper free, second Hopper $7. Each Joey is also $7 monthly.

Currently Hoppers cannot talk to each other but they will be able to "soon".

An account with a Hopper is charged the $6 per account DVR fee plus a $4 Whole Home DVR fee ... so an account with two Hoppers would be $17 (plus $7 for each Joey). Plus the cost of the base package and any channels/premiums one wants to subscribe to.

I'm debating right now, currently with D. This new Hopper thing has me real intrigued, and now that I can get MLB TV, there is nothing keeping me with D. I switched from Dish to D several years ago with Dish lost the extra innings package for MLB. I've more than fulfilled my two year contract with D, so I wouldn't feel bad at all.

Uncle and his wife, and Grandmother. And yes, there are times that all 5 tuners are recording on my HR34, both tuners are recording on his HR24, Live Tv is being watched in the living room, and my Grandmother is watching Live Tv in her room lol

During those peak times, how many of the tuners are watching/recording prime time broadcast TV?

Three Joey's are free with one hopper for new "qualifying" customers. For sure. You can pay an upfront cost to get a second hopper, and for each additional Joey beyond the three. You can have up to 6 Joeys with two Hoppers.

Been with D* for 11 years & I'm thinking of switching to Dish for Hopper/Joey system. Question, if I get 2 joey's & decide say 6 months later to drop one of the joey's will it extend my 2-year contract or cost me any penalty fees?

Somebody told me not too long ago that they thought the 'Roos would kill Direct.

I don't believe that will happen.

Both services have compelling reasons for picking one over the other, and both have many reasons for rejecting them. Neither is perfect by one very long shot, and imo, neither is necessarily better than the other for everyone.

Somebody told me not too long ago that they thought the 'Roos would kill Direct.

Once they get hopping.

I don't know how much the tuner to output ratio will hurt DISH. Their ViP 6 TV setup was three duo receivers, six tuners for six TVs unless one paid for additional duo receivers. Two Hoppers four Joeys provides six tuners for six TVs. I'm not sure I'd want additional Joeys before adding a third Hopper - which means DISH would need to develop a Trio Node or other setup that would allow more than two Hoppers.

I could survive without NFL-ST, but getting by without MLB-EI would be seriously difficult. I'm truly intrigued by the PTAT feature and might look to switch before the fall TV season. A 2 Hopper system would be perfect.

If you stop responding to them or put them on ignore, then eventually they'll go away.